Edition 42
This week, we are delighted to share more stories of new beginnings, fresh starts, and renewed hope – a very Happy Easter to you and your loved ones.
Thank you so much for your continued support.
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Taking to the slopes
We are enormously grateful to Palpa Films for capturing such an inspiring film of our beneficiaries taking to the slopes during their recent ski trip to Chamonix.
Thirty-two former Royal Marines joined the respite break funded by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, and which included instructors and support team members, some of whom now live in the French Alps and who gave up their time for free to ensure everyone got the most out of their time on the slopes. The group was split into two so each could enjoy a week-long session over the last fortnight of January.
As on previous visits, former RM Ian Bishop surpassed all expectations in organising everything down to the last possible detail as well as being chief kit man, driver, cook and base CSM, ninja skier and, all in all, the person who makes these trips work so well for everyone.
The group again stayed in a beautiful barn conversion which dates back to Napoleonic times and still has artefacts from the time when Napoleon’s army marched past! It’s owned by former paratrooper Dan White who very generously makes it available for free to accommodate the groups.
In the words of one beneficiary: “You cannot put a price on how the trip leaves you feeling, reconnecting and inspiring all those who were privileged to be on such a fantastic trip.'”
Huge thanks again to James Malone at Palpa Films for his fabulous support and generosity in making this film available to us.
Royal Award
His Majesty The King has appointed the Royal Marines Principal Director of Music, Lt. Col. Jason Burcham RM and The Corps Drum Major, Warrant Officer Class 2 Chris Mace RM, as a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO). The award is His Majesty’s personal gift and is in recognition of the outstanding contribution towards the State Funeral of Her late Majesty The Queen.
This is the first MVO awarded to members of the Royal Marines Band Service for many years. WO2 Chris Mace RM said “I am proud and privileged to receive this award which recognises not just my contribution, but that of our whole organisation.”
Huge congratulations to them both on this well-deserved and prestigious award.
Pedal pusher extraordinaire!
Elliot Walker has finished a 16-day cycle across France to raise funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, with the route going through the Somme battlefields, Epernay, the city of Troyes, Dijon, Mont Ventoux, Gorges de Verdon and finally to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
Elliot joined Royal Marines Training in 2020 with 297 Troop. Unfortunately, whilst on the 9-mile speed march, he broke his femur which ultimately led to him being medically discharged.
Since then, he’s has had to overcome a difficult recovery. He says that the help he’s received from the Charity during this time was what inspired him to undertake this arduous fundraising challenge,
“The Royal Marines Charity have done so much for me since being discharged which I am very grateful for. I am now a member Deal Branch RMA and would really like to help raise money by doing this fundraiser.”
Elliot was looking to raise £1,000 throughout his journey, but at the time of writing, this has almost doubled – merci beaucoup, incroyable!
Next stop – Everest !
Veteran RM Craig Hunter is on his way – he left Glasgow Airport for Nepal last Sunday, packed and ready to take on the epic challenge to attempt to summit the formidable Mount Everest, marking the 70th anniversary year of the first ever summit, and fundraising for the Charity.
He was sent off with some motivational words from some very friendly faces, some of whom he had known from his days at 45Cdo, Major Gordie McCrae (pictured left) and CSgt Jim Cogan, along with our very own Relationship Manager (Scotland), Nick Holloway.
Huge thanks to everyone who went along to see Craig safely on his way and wish him bon voyage – we will be closely following his progress and look forward to sharing updates with you as and when he is able to send them.
New horizons
Gaining an in-depth understanding about what issues are really affecting RM veterans and their dependents no matter where in the UK they live, and uncovering the areas of best practice across the devolved nations, is something that is hugely important. It helps to ensure that the service offered by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is what is actually needed and is also the best it can be.
To this end, the Charity’s Devolved Nations Veterans Strategy Manager, Simon Giles, last week attended the Cross-Party Group for Veterans Affairs at the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh. The meeting was attended by several Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and representatives of key Veterans Charities in Scotland.
This quarterly meeting provides a useful forum at which issues affecting Veterans can be raised directly with the Scottish Government. It’s also an opportunity to influence what support is provided to veterans in Scotland.
Tracing the ‘Footprint of Freedom’
With spring in their steps, this fab four team of Royal Marines will be running the entire ‘Tip-to-Tip’ route on Diego Garcia in two weeks’ time, looking to complete the 37 miles and raise money for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
Diego Garcia is the largest of 55 islands that form the Chagos Archipelago within the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). It is known as the ‘Footprint of Freedom’ for its shape, regional location, and strategic importance.
Way to go – and thanks a bunch, lads!
Running in remembrance
Next month, Jason Cole is running his first marathon in Edinburgh and has decided to raise money for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.
“In November last year, my good friend Jonny Nelson tragically lost a fellow comrade to suicide, whom he served with during the war in Afghanistan. Nelson, being the lad he is, immediately got to work raising money to support the family and help arrange his friend’s funeral. Contact was made with RMA and amazingly, they were able to offer significant financial and practical support at a vital time.
It is easy to forget the sacrifices made by our armed forces when we aren’t involved in open conflict. I’ve always been proud to support our troops and will continue to do so, in my own small way. If you want to sponsor me and the charity, then please do via my page.”
We are sure you will join us in wishing Jason all the very best for his first ever marathon – we are enormously grateful to everyone who chooses to go the distance and run for our Charity.
Yorkshire Peaks Challenge 2023
If you’re looking for an autumn challenge, why not sign up for the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge?
It covers a 24-mile (38.6km) round route and incorporating 5,200ft (1,585m) of ascent -Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres), usually in this order, and in under 12 hours. These hills form part of the Pennine range, encircling the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.